Coronavirus ruined their Fort Worth grand openings. But they ‘charged ahead’ and saved jobs
Unused tables and bar stools sit empty at Wild Acre Brewing’s new pub on Camp Bowie.
Owner John Pritchett won’t dwell on what the grand opening for the satellite location of one of Fort Worth’s largest craft breweries might have looked like had coronavirus not slammed the door shut on many small businesses. Instead of opening with fanfare in the first week of April, Pritchett opened the brewery and restaurant at 6479 Camp Bowie Blvd. quietly March 21, almost two weeks earlier than planned.
“That’s spilled milk now and you can’t really worry about it,” Pritchett said. “We’re going to make the best of this situation.”
Mandates designed to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus have shuttered many businesses and those still open have taken a major hit from stay-at-home orders. But some locally owned small businesses, particularly restaurants, are moving ahead with plans to expand or open in Fort Worth.
When the coronavirus outbreak reached North Texas, Wild Acre had just begun hiring kitchen and service staff for the Camp Bowie taphouse. Pritchett could have locked the door on the Camp Bowie operation and waited out the viral storm. Instead, he said, he saw an opportunity.
With sales to local restaurants and bars almost completely wiped out — a massive chunk of a typical craft brewery’s revenue — Wild Acre might have had to furlough or lay off sales reps. Instead, those six employees were retrained to work in the kitchen at the Camp Bowie location, Pritchett said, helping the company keep staff on the payroll even as sales slump.
At first, the kitchen sold a limited selection of sandwiches for lunch, but quickly expanded to family-size meals for evening pickup. Pritchett said the restaurant already has several local regulars from the nearby Ridglea Hills neighborhood.
“All things considered I’d say we’re very fortunate,” he said.
Another restaurateur “charging ahead” is Bill Woodrich, who said he had no choice but to open a new joint, Rufus Bar and Grill, in Cityview Centre. Woodrich had run Billy’s Oak Acres BBQ off Camp Bowie, but decided to relocate and re-brand with plans for a major grand opening this month, complete with Rufus Racing Team Jeeps.
The car show-style grand opening may not happen for a few months, but Rufus Bar and Grill opened Saturday with regular menu items and family meals. Woodrich said he never considered not opening and letting go his longtime kitchen staff.
“I’ve been scared to death,” Woodrich said. “I never dreamed I would have to open a restaurant in the middle of a pandemic.”
Some businesses haven’t been able to open, but have found small ways to move forward.
Tarantula Tiki Lounge hoped to be the next popular spot in the booming South Main area of the Near Southside, but the cocktail bar at 117 South Main St. sits quiet. A soft opening was planned for March 28 to work out the kinks, but part-owner Steve Steward said the bar will “jump right in” when the coronavirus restrictions are finally lifted. For now, the five co-owners are taking turns going to the bar to decorate and set up.
In the meantime the bar is selling gift cards online that can be redeemed when Tarantula Tiki Lounge is able to open. The cards have been a smart way to help cover some expenses, Steward said. The bar doesn’t have the option to do to-go orders or food pick up.
“It was really weird to watch the weekend go by in my apartment thinking ‘Oh I’m supposed to be making Mai Tais right now,’” Steward said.
